Vending-machine.



A. n. GnovER L E. E'BARBER.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21.19x2.

1,260,372. Patented Mar. 26, 1918. 3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Fl 1- a l Earl E. Barber.

A. D. GROVEH da E. E. BARBER.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED lun' 21. 1912.

1,260,372. Patented Mar. 26, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 7. j VII/IJ;

' @i f ew" A. D. GROVER & E. E. BARBER.

VEND|NG` MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED luLY 21.1912.

Patented Mar. 26, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

IN VEN TUF- 5 Jlber 17. @rover am WE 5.,. m4 Ef, W

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT D. GBOVER, 0F MALDEN, AND EARL E. BARBER, OF `BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS,

ABSIGNOBS TO AUTOSALES YORK.

GUM & CHOCOLATE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW VENDING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 27, 1912. Serial No. 711,797.

To rIl whom t may concern Be it known that we, ALBERT D. GROVER and EARLE. BARBER, citizens of the United States, and residing, respectively, atMalden, county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, and Boston,county of Suliolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Vending-Machines, of which the following is aspecilication.

Our invention-relates to vending machines adapted to be operated uponthe detposition of a proper coin for the delivery o a suitablecommodity, and has for its general object the revision of a machineembod 'ng various eatures of novelty over anyt g disclosed in priormachines. Our machine is of the magazine type and is so compact in itsarrangement of parts that a machine containing several magazines takesup com paratively little room. The different arts that go to make up ourmachine are inc osed in a substantially rectan lar casing, preferablymade of sheet meta beyond which no parts project to cause Aobstructionor unsightline. Our machine is thus excellently a apted for use inplaces where but little space is available-as, for instance, on railroadcars.

Onesobj ect of our invention is to (provide a movable coin carrierhaving a rigi pin or projection adapted to hold the coin 1n operativeposition during the movement of the carrier, so that the coin mayoperate as a connectionbetween the coin carrier and a suitable memberconnected with the ejecting mechanism. The pin or projection on thecarrier engages the coin substantially at the center, so that a washerfalls back on the carrier into inoperative position.

In the preferred form of our invention, the coin carrier is providedwith a ldable member arranged to hold a coin of ess than the prescribedweight in such position that it is readily stripped from the carrier bythe member connected with the ejecting mechanism, without causingoperation of that member. In the precise embodiment of our inventionillustrated in the accompanying drawin this yieldable member is 1n theform o al weighted arm having a free end which projects into acoin-retaining groove on the carrier. It is necessary that the coindepress this free end of the weightf displaced portion i portion, willstrike the edge of the retained coin olf center and be therebyautomatically ejected through a lateral opening in the chute.

A further object of our invention is to provide a pivoted switch at asuitable point 1n the coin chute leading to the coin carrier forautomatically to be refunded when the magazine is empty. The normalposition of the switch is such that a deposited coin will find its wayto the coin carrier. However, as soon as the last package has beenejected from the magazine, the switch is automatically tilted so as todivert the deposited coin into a refunding chute open to the outside, sothat the, patron may get his money back.

A further object of our invention is to provide means under the controlof the coin carrier for supporting a deposited coin in the coin chutewhen the carrier is 'out of normal position. The arrangement is Suchthat the return of the supporting means to release the coin whichthereupon drops on the carrier.

A further object of our invention is to provide a multiple-magazinemachine in which the operating mechanism associated with each magazineis carried by a frame workwhich is removable as a unit from the machine,independently of the other mechanisms. Also, the magazines associatedwith the ejecting mechanisms are so mounted in the casing as topendently of each other.

The above and other objects and advantages of our invention will becomeapparent from a detailed description of the accompanying drawings, inwhich- Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section on an enlarged scale,through a portion of our machine, substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 6,with arts of the casing broken away above and below; i

.be readily removable inde causing a deposited coin f carrier operatesthe Fig. 2 is a section substantially on the broken line 2-2 ofv Fi 1;

Fig. 3' is a sectiona view in plan taken substantially 'on the irregularline 3-3 of Figl;

g. 4 represents a sectional view on line Fig. 5 is a longitudinalsection on line 5-5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the machine;

Fig. 7 is a fra entary view in detall showing a modi ed arrangement `ofthe switch or refunding a deposited com when the machine is empty;

8 vis a rear view of the modified switc arrangement shown in Figi. 7,the magazine bein omitted from this gure;

Fig. 9 is a ragmentary sectional view on line 9-9 of lFig. 1 showing theosition of a coin of proper wei ht on the coin carrier;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 sh ing the position of a coin ofless than prescribed weight on the coin carrier; and

Fig. 11 1s a cross-sectional view on line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

The diiferent parts that make mechanism ofour machine are hou` the in ai substantially rectangular casing constructed locking plate 13 securedto t preferabl of sheet metal and having a ront wal or panel 1, a rearwall 2, sides 3v and 4, a ytop 5 and bottom 6. The metal on the frontedge of the casin is bent back upon itself, as shown at 7 in igs. 3, 4and 5, to provide a double thickness of metal for reinforcement. Thefront panel is formed with a continuous flange. 8 which isvadapted tolit over the reinforced edge 7 of ,thecasing, as clearly shown in Figs.3, 4 and 5. In this way a tight tween the front panel the casin and thereinforcement along the line of c osure prevents the parts from beingeasily separated by the attempted insertion of a hand tool. The frontpanel is removably mounted on the casing by means. of pins or lugs 9secured to the top portion of the iiange 8 and extending downwardlythrough corresponding openings in the to of the casin as shown 1n Fig.5. A loc 1G of suitab e construction is secured upon the inner side ofthe front panel near the bottom, and thebolt 11 of the lock is adaptedto engage the upstandin` lug 12 'of the e bottom 6 of the casing byrivets 14, or otherwise. To remove the front necessary to unloc it atthe bottom and then s wi the panel outwardly at its lower endsuiiiciently to permit its being lifted out of en agement with thecasing at the top.

n the casi are secured two transverse shelves or artitions-an up ershelf 15 and a lower s elf 16. 4Theses elves are held in place in anysuitable manner-as, fox;

closure is effected be Y and the main body of falso' prevented by therods anel, it is therefore only instance, by means of rivets 17 whichpass through the sides of the casing and througlh flanges 18 formed atthe two ends of t e shelves. The upper shelf 15 is arranged to supporta. series of magazines in which the vendible articles are stacked. Thenumber of magazines may vary depending upon the size and capacity forwllic the machine has been designed. In the particular form shown in thedrawing, tains four magazines indicated at M1, M2,

M, and M. The front panel l maybe provided with sight openings a, one infront of each magazine, these. openings being covered by a iece of glassb, suitably held in place on t e inside of the front panel. Each ofthese ma azines is a unit in itself, and is removable rom the casinindependently of thel other magazines. he magazine is substantiallyrectangular in form and is proportioned to accommodate the vendiblearticles. The magazines are preferably constructed of sheet metal andcomprise a rear Wall 19, sides 20 and a front wall 21, which has alongitudinalV opening 22. To the rear wall of each magazine near thebottom thereof is secured a orizontal rod 23 in any desired manner. The'shelf 15 is provided with upwardly extend; ing lugs or brackets .24arranged in pairs and having vertical slots 25 adapted to receive theends of the rods 23. By means of this arrangement, the magazines arereadily placed in proper position on the shelf 15 and are easilyremovable independently of each other. As the rods 23 fit snugly in theslotted brackets 24, the magazines are firmly held in 'place' withoutdanger of disarrangement during the operation or transortation of themachine As seen from ig. 3, the brackets 24 extend forward suiiicientlyto engagethe sides of the magazines. This positively preventsltransverse movement of the magazines. Such movement is 23 abuttin fromFig. v2. may be provided at the top of the casing to hook over the topof each magazine at 27 to assist in maintaining the magazines in an uright position when the machine is mov about.

Beneath each magazine is arranged a coineontrolled ejecting mechanismadapted to be operated upon the insertion of a proper coin to eject .thegoods from the magazine. Each mechanismis carriedbya frame work slidablymounted on'the lower shelf 16 and removable independently of the othermechanisms. 'As the articular machine shown in the drawings 1s vafourpcompartment machine, there are `four of these frameworksdiagrammatically indicated in Fig. 6 by F1, F, F" and F. As -theseframeworks and the mechanisms carried thereby are identical against eachother, as seen spring 26 the machine conin construction, it will benecessary to describe only one of the frameworks and its mechanism.Referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the framework F1 is at itslower end provided with a pair of inwardly turned flanges 28 adapted tointerlock with upwardly and outwardly turned flanges 29 formed on theshelf 16. The flanges 29 are arranged in pairs, one pair for eachframework, so that each framework may be slid into position on theshelf, or removed therefrom, without disturbin the other frameworks. Asseen from ig. 2, the adjacent sides of the frameworks are quite close together. On each side of the framework near the bottom is provided a pairof inwardly turned flanges 30 spaced apart to form a pair of oppositeguide grooves or channels for the base plate 31 of the coin carrier 32.his coin carrier is formed with an inclined surface 33 from whichprojects a pin 34. From the lower end of the inclined surface 33 extendsa ledge 35 at an angle t0 that surface, so as to provide acoin-retaining groove or recess 36 for a coin of proper weight. The'base plate 3l of the coin carrier 32 is provided with a slot`32", asbest shown in Figs. 9 and 10. In the opening 32aL is pivoted an arm 32bat the poi -t 32. This arm has at one end a weighted portion 32", and atthe other end an upstanding lug or pro'- jection 32" which is normallyadapted to extend into the groove 36, as shown in Fig. l0.

he 'projection 32 is so arranged on the coin carrier that when a coindrops into the carrier 1t strlkes the projection centrally. If the coinis of proper weight, it will be sufficient to depress the projection 32eand assuinethe position shown at C in Fig. 9. In this, its operativeposition, the coin rests at its lower edge in its retaining groove 36and is Supported in the inclined position shown 1n Fig. by restingagainst the lower end of the coin chute to be presently` referred to.Should the deposited check be of light material, such as paper oraluminum, it will not be capable of depressing the upstanding projection32 of the weighted arm 32", and will be held by said projection out ofthe coin-retaining groove 36, as clearly shown in Figs. 10 and 11. en acoin is thus supported on the projection 32, it is in position to bereadily stripped from the coin carrier by the oscillating lever which isconnected with the ejecting mechanism, as will presently be described.

hen the coin carrier 32 is in normal position, as shown in Fig. 1, acoin passing through the chute 37 is received by the coin carrier andretained in the lower end 38 of the chute. As seen from Fig. 2, thelower end 38 of the chute 37 is laterally displaced with respect to themain body portion of the chute, and is in alinement with the coincarrier. The laterally displaced portion 38 of the coin chute 37 hassides 39 and 40 between which the coin C is held, but is open toward therear to ,allow the coin to be carried rearwardly by the coin carrier 32.The front wall of the lateral extension 38 of the coin chute is providedwith a slot 41 to allow the passage of the coin carrier therethrough.The coin chute 37 is o en at 42 for a purpose to be presently explained.When a coin drops down the coin chute 37, it strikes the top of the sideflange 40 and is deflected toward the left (as viewed in Fig. 2) intothe extension 38 and onto the coin carrier 32, as best indicated at C inFig. 2. If, while the coin C is retained by the carrier in the laterallydisplaced portion 38 of the coin chute, a second coin should be droppedinto the coin chute, iti-will strike the coin C off center, as indicatedat C in Fig. 2, whereby it will be automatically ejected through thelateral discharge opening 42. It is thus impossible for more than onecoin to remain in the coin chute 37 at one time. Otherwise, the coinchute might become clogged up with successively deposited coins and themachine thus put out of commission. The coin chute 37 is rigidly mountedin the framework F by anysuitable means. In Fig. 1 of the drawings wehave shown the coin ,chute secui'ed to an upper bracket 43 and a lowerbrabket 43. These brackets are in turn fixd to the front wall of theframework. Th coin chute 37 is of course given the proper inclination soas to bring the lower end thereof into operative relation to the coincarrier. The coin carrier is operated by means of the plunger 44 whichis in the form of a hollow rod secured to the down- Ward extension 45 ofthe coin carrier. Screws 46 on the extension 45 engage the annularflange 47 formed at the rear end of the plunger 44 and hold the same infixed relation to the coin carrier. A coil spring 48 bears at one endagainst the front head of the hollow plunger and at the other endagainst the rear of the framework, to automatically return thecoin-carrier to its normal position, as shown in Fig. 1. vThe spring 48is coiled about a guide rod 49 extending forwardly from the rear wall ofthe framework.v This guide rod extends partially into the hollow plungerand 'prevents the spring from buckling when the plunger is pushed in. Tocompel full inward movement of the coin carrier before it can return tonormal position, we provide a doubleacting pawl 50 1pivotally mounted ona stud 51 carried by t e base plate 31 of the coin carrier. A sprin 52,coiled about the stud 5,1, is at one end xed to the stud and at theother to thel pawl, so as to normally hold the same in the positionshown in Fig. 4. The

with teeth 53 at each sideqof which is a recess 54. This arrangement ofpawl and ratchet forms a well-known construction in vending machines toprevent return of the movable part carrying the pawl until it completesits stroke. No further description of this arrangement is thereforenecessary.

In` he sides of each framework is journaled the transverse shaft 55which carries the operating lever 56. As will be explained later on indetail, the upper end of the lever 56 is connected with the e'ectingmechanism which is slidably mounte on the top of the framework. A spring`57 normally holds the lever 56 in the posltion shown in Fig: 1. Thisspring is coiled about the shaft 55 and bears at one end against the in58 on the lever 56, while the other en engages the pin 59' projectinginwardly from one side of the framework.- When the lever 56 is in normalposition, its lower end 60 is in such relation to the coin carrier andthe lower end of the coin chute 37, that a coin' G will, at its upperedge, pro]ect slightly above said.

lower end 60 and 1n close roximit thereto. This is clearly shown inFig. 1. T e spring 57 tends to rock the lever 56 in a clockwisedirection (as viewed in Fi 1). The movement of the lever in thisdlrection is by the stop 61 which bears against the lever near its up erend. The stop 61 is best formed by nding a portion of the rear wall ofthe framework forwardly. To the rear wall of the casing is xed a pair ofbrackets' 62, as shown in Fig. 4. On a pin 63, journaled in thesebrackets is mounted a com stripper comprising a pair of stripping arms64,V an vupward extension 65 and a lowerextension 66. A leaf spring 67secured to the rear wall of the framework F', bears at its lower endagainst the upper exi "tension 65 to hold the arms 64 in a substantiallyhorizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1. Theflower lextension 66 limitsthe downward movement of the coin stripper by abutting a .ainst the rearwall of the framework. he strip ing arms 64 are at their'free endrovidefiwlth hook portions 68 having inc ined surfaces 69. As seen fromFigs. 2 and 4, the arms of the coin stripper are arranged on either sideof the operating lever 56.

The operation of the coin-controlled mechanism, as so clearly understoodand is as follows: As-

that a proper coin has descended throug the chute 37 onto thecoin-carrier 32, it will lean against the front wall of the .laterallydisplaced extension 38 of the chute, with its upper edge in closeproximity to the lower end 60 of the operatm 1ever'56. If now theplunger 44 be push inwardly against the tension of the sprin 48, thecoin 32 is moved rearwa y ca g thecoinC. Itwillbeclear m under theiniuence of the spring 67.

limited\ far described, will now bel income Fig. 1 that it needs but avery sli ht movement of the coin carrier to bring t e pin 34 against thecoin. As the coin carrier"l is moved inwardly, the upper edge of thecoin engages the lower end 60 of the operating lever '56 and rocks thesame into the position indicated in dotted lines at 56 in Fig. 1. Durinthis Amovement of the coin carrier, the com is held in rigid position onthe coin carrier by means of the in 34 and the oove or reoess36. In thlsway the coin ormsl a rigid movable connection between the coin carrierandthe operating lever 56.

When the coin comes into engagement with the stripping arms 64, it ridesunder the inclined sur es 69 and rocks the arms upwardl until it passesby the hooked ortion 68, w ereupon the arms are rocke down When the coincarrier returns, the coin encounters the hooked portion 68 of thestripping arms and is thereby tilted rearwardly until it falls from thecoin carrier into the coin box 70 at the bottom of the casing.

The advantagesof our new coin carrier will now be apparent. In the firstplace,

should a washer find its way to the coin v carrier, the pin 34 willenter the opening in the washer as the carrier is moved rearwardly, andinstead of beinlpropped up in rigid position, the washer w fall backonto the inclined surface 43 of the coin carrier. In this position, theup er edge of the washer will lie below the ower end of the operatinglever, so that no connection is established between the coin carrler andthe o erating lever through the medium of t e washer. When the coincarrier returns to normal position, the washer is stripped from thecarrier the same as the proper coin will be, as above described indetail. The coin carrier is cut away at 33 and 33 to accommodate thestripping arms 64, so that the hooked portion 68 the 4washer on thesurface 33 and strips the same from the coin carrier. Should the coin beof less than the prescribed weight, it will beheld out of thecoin-retaining groove by the upstanding projection 32 on the weightedarm 32". Should the coin carrier be ushed inwardly with the depositedcheck 1n this position, the engagement of the check with .the lower endof the operating arm 56 will automatically cause the lower edge of thecoin to ride upwardly on the ledge 35 ofthe coin carrier 32, whereby thecheck is automatically discharged from the carrier without causinoperation of the arm 56. Another advan e of our new coin carrier is inthe automatic testing of the coin as to diameter. It will be clear fromF' 1 that if the coin be of smaller diameter t an that of the coin-Cshown, the operatinl arm 56 would either not be engaged at l or elseengaged only during a part of the vinward reaches lower than movement ofthe coin carrier. event. the operating lever 56 would not be rocked toits full extent, as indicated in dotted lines at 56', and thisincolnplete movement would be insufficient to cause ejection of thearticles from the associated magazine. Should the deposited coin be ofsoft or easily breakable material, it would not withstand the pressureof the pin 3l and would become either bent or broken. In either case,there would be no operation of the lever 56.

It will be obvious that in the broad aspect of our invention so far asthe coin-carrier is concerned. the particular form or function of themember 56 is immaterial. In the particular machine illustrated, themember 56 is shown in the form of a pivoted level'. but, broadlyspeaking. the member or device to be engaged by the coin on thecoin-carrier or coin-support 32 may be any suitable element contained inthe machine and adapted to be actuated.

It may sometimes happen that a coin is deposited when a coin carrier isnot in its normal position. To prevent the loss of such a coin to thepatron, we have provided means for temporarily retaining such a coin inthe coin chute until the coin carrier is moved back to normal position,whereupon the coin automatically drops on the coin carrier, and themachine may be operated in the usual way. In the present embodiment ofour invention, this temporary retaining means comprises a depending arm71 pivoted on the pin TQ which is mounted in a pair of ears or lugs T3extending forwardlv from the coin chute 3T. The lower end of the arm Tlis provided with a lateral lug T1 which is arranged to bear against thecoin carrier, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4. From the rear of thearm 71 projects a. Vhen the c0111 carrier supporting lug T5. 32 is inits normal or unoperatled position, as shown in Fig. 1, the arm Tl isheld substantially vertical, so that thc supporting lug T5 remains outof the coin chute 37. However. when the coin carrier is moved inwardly(toward the right as viewed in Fig. l), the arm T1 is moved rearwardlyby the spring T6 into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Theleaf spring 76 maybe conveniently secured to the coin chute 37 by screwsor rivets TT and is arranged to bear at its lower end against theextension 78 on the arm 71. Any suitable means may be provided forswinging the arm 71 rearwardly when the coin carrier' is moved out ofnormal position. 'hen the arm 71 is in its operated position. thesupporting lug extends into the coin slot through an opening 7). 'iththe arm T1 in this position. a deposited coin will bc arrested by thelug 75 and temporarily remain in the position indicated at C2 in Fig. 2.The coin will In the latter" remain supported in this position until thecoin carrier 32 returns to normal position and forces the arm T1 backinto its normal position. as shown in full lines in Fig. l. As soon asthe lug T5 is withdrawn from the coin chute. a coin drops on to the coiucarrier and the latter may then be pushed inwardly to actuate theoperating lever 56.

The rear or upper side Sl) of the coin chute 3T terminates in arearwardly curved lip or flange 81 at some distance above the lower endof the coin chute, and thus provides a rear discharge opening 82 formagnetic slugs. A permanentmagnet 8:2 is rigidly mounted by any suitablemeans on the upper side of the coin chute in such a position that thepoles of the magnet terminate at the guide flange 81. The means which wehave shown for holding the magnet rigidly in place on the coin chutecomprises a non-magnetic block 83 which is fixed to the upper side 80 ofthe coin chute and is of a shape to fit between the legs of the magnet.A non-magnetic bar 81 ex tends over the legs of the magnet, as shown inFig. :2, and is held in place by a screw or pin 85 which passes into theblock S3. In this way, the magnet is not only lirmly held in place butmay be readily removed by simply taking out the screw 85. Then an ironslug passes down the coin chute 37, the magnet diverts it out of thecoin chute through the opening S2. the flange Sl guiding the slugrearwardly and preventing the same from becoming attached to the polesof the magnet. The lower end of the actuating lever 56 is bentrearwardly away from the coin chute, as indicated at S6, so as not tointerfere with the discharge of the magnetic slugs. ll'hen a slug isdiverted by a magnet, it drops on the curved portion 86 of the leverfrom which itfalls into the coin-box 70.

We will now describe the ejecting mechanism which is connected with theupper end of the actuating lever 56. As seen from Figs. 1 and 2. theupper end of this lever has a slot 8T in which engages the pin 88carried by a pair of spaced lugs or ears 89 extending downwardly fromthe ejector plate 90. This plate is mounted to slide over the topflanges 91 of the framework F1. As seen from Figs. 2 and 3. the sides ofthe plate 90 extend over the lianges 91, andA retaining lugs 92 areprovided 011 the plate 90 to engage the underside of the fianges 91 andthus prevent vertical displacement of the njector plate. The lugs 92 maybe conveniently struck u from the metal of the ejector plate 90. l t itsrear.

theplate 90 is provided with a pair of spaced bearing lugs 93, as bestshown in Fig. 3. A pin 94 is supported at its ends in the lugs 93 andhas rotatably mounted thereon a Vsubstantially U-shaped frameworkindicated as a whole by E. This plate 90 and connected at the rear by ation under the action o i out of sheetv metal and is secure crosspiece96. The arms 95 are provided with upwardly extending portions 97,through which the pin 94 passes. The plate 90 is provided with anopening or cut-away portion 98 to allow the arms 95to extend above theplate. The arms 95 are provided at their free end with upright ejectinglugs 99 having a vertical front surface 100 and an inclined orcam-shaped rear surface 101. These ejecting lugs extend through slots102 in -the ejector p ate 90,and also through slots 103 formed in thetransverse shelf or partition 15. The rear wall of each magazine is atthe lower end provided with slots 104 through which the ejecting lugs 99may freely pass to engage the lowermost article in the magazine and pushthe same out of the magazine. A.` spring 105 coiledV about the pin 94bears at one end n the ejector plate 90, as shown at 106, and at theother end on the cnosspiece 96 of the framework E, as shown at 107. Thespring 105 thus tends to throw the ejecting lu 99 upwardly and hold themin an uprig t position, as shown in Fig. 1. The operation of theejecting mechanism will now be clearl understood and may be brielydescribe as follows: When the lever 56 1s operated through the medium ofa deposited coin, as heretofore described in detail, the plate 90 ismoved into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig.` 1. During thismovement of, the ejector plate 90 the lugs 99 engage the lowermostarticle l (which is intended to represent a small box or packecontaining any suitable commodity), an pushes the same out of themagazine into the delivery chute D carried b the front panel 1 of thecasing. During t e return movement of the ejector mechanism from theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 to that shown in full lines,the ejecting lugs 99 are automatically depressed and ride under thestack of articles. As soon as the lugs have cleared the magazine, theysnap u into ejecting posil) sprin 105.

The delivery chute D is pre erabl formed t0 the front panel in any.suitable way. This chute consists of sidewalls 108 and a rear wall 109bent into shape as best shown in Fig. 1. At the to of the chute, thesides areextended -inwar ly to form the flanges 110 thro h which passfastening pins or rivets 111 or securing the chute to the front panel.At its lower end, the rear wall 109 terminates in a llange 112 whichrests against the front anel for receiving the fastening rivets 113.

he rear wall109 is curved rearwardly at 114 to form a deep recess orchamber opprosite the opening 115 in the front panel. o

prevent the ejected goods from falling out of the chamber 114, weprovide a rearwardl -inclined shelf or'led 116 which exten into themouth of the elivery chute, as best shown in Fig. 1. The shelf 116 iscarried by or forms part of an extension 117 rovided on the plate 118.The form of t is plate is best shown in Fig. 6. As the machineillustrated in this figure has four magazines, there will of course befour delivery chutes, or a common delivery chute may extend across thefront panel to receive the goods from all of the magazines. There are asmany retaining shelves 116 as there are magazines, and each shelf isarranged in vertical alinement with each magazine so as to receive thegoods ejected from that `magazine. These retaining ledges need not bevery wide.. In fact, they should preferably be narrower than the coinrequired to operate the machine, because as will be pres# entlyexplained, the refunded coins come out of the deliver chute D and rest uon the shelves 116. f the coin is wider t an the shelf, it is moreeasily asped by the patron. The position of a delivered ackage on theshelf 116 is indicated in otted lines G in Fig. 1. This not onlyprevents the package from falling out of the delivery chiite, butsupports it in position to be easily withdrawn by the atron. A pair ofguide rods 119 positionedp at the upper end of the delivery chute assistin directing the e'ected package properly downthe chute. hese rods aresecured to a cross bar 120 mounted in the sides 108 of this chute.

The plate 118 is secured to thefront panel b means of rivets 121, or inany other suitalile way. This plate is formed with a recess 122 intowhich the plungers 44 extend. The recess 122 thereforeforms a housingfor the projecting ends of the plun rs which terminate substantiallyilush wit the front `of the casing. The openin 123 in the rear wall ofthe recess 122 or reoeivin A lungers, are suiliciently large to permitthev ower end of the front panel to be swung outwardly about the pins 9as a pivot. As the openings 123 are at a considerable distance from thepoint of rotation of the front panel, they need not be very much largerthan the diameter of the plungers.

We come now to that eature of our invention by which a coin depositedwhen the machine is empty, is automatically refunded through thedelivery chute D. To the front panel above the delivery chute D issecured a hood 124 provided with a partition 125 the A which` is spacedfrom the downwardly Hanges are best shown on the modified throughlateral flanges 124" extendin outwardly from the sides of the hood. heseform of hood illustrated on Fig. 8, but they are precisely the same onthe form of hood shown in Fig. 1. The upper end of the coin chute is inalinement with an opening 128 formed in the front panel. This opening iscovered by a plate 129 rovided with a series of coin slots 130. here are0f course as many coin slots 130 and coin chutes 127 as there aremagazines in the machine. The bottom of the coin chute 127 is providedwith an opening 131 of a width slightly smaller than the diameter of aprescribed coin, so that when a coin is deposited which is smaller thana coin intended for the machine, it will drop through the opening 131into the delivery or refunding chute-D. The coin chute 127 terminates atis lower end in alinement with a pivoted coin switch 132. This switchmay be arranged in several ways, two of which have been shown in thedrawings-one in Fig. 1 and the other in Fig. 7. Referring first to theswitch as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, it will be observed that the switch ispivoted on a pin or rod 133 mounted in the sides 134 of a frame orbracket S secured to the lower end of the magazine by screws or rivets135. As best shown in Fig. 3, these rivets pass through the frontflanges of the magazine and corresponding flanges 136 extendingoutwardly from the sides 134 of the frame' S. The coin switch 132normally rests at its upper end against a crosspiece 137 provided on theframe or bracket S, and rests by gravity in the position shown inFig. 1. At its lower end, the coin switch 132 is provided with arearward extension 138 which is adapted to be engaged by the lug 139formed on the weight 140 in the magazine, when the latter is empty. Itwill be clear from Fig. 1 that when the last package of goods has beendischarged from the magazlne, the Weight 140 will descend to the bottomof the magazine and in doing so it will strike the projection 138,thereby rocking the switch 132 into the position shown in dotted lines.W ith the switch in this position, any coin descending through the coinchute 127 will be deflected by the switch into the delivery or refundingchute from which the patron may recover the coin. As soon as the weight140 is moved up when the magazine is refilled, the switch 132automatically assumes the position shown in full lilies 1n Fig. 1. Vlienin this, its normal position, the switch forms in eii'ect a continuationof the coin chute 127 and directs the coin into the lower coin chute 37from which it falls onto the coin carrier, as previously explained. Theswitch 132 ma)r also be considered asa movable section of the coinpassage which extends from the coin entrance slot 130 to the coincarrier 32, the other sections of this coin passage being the upperchute 127 and the lower chute 37.

In the modified arrangement of coin switch shown in Fig. 7, the coinswitch 132 is pivoted on the pin 133' mounted in the sides of the hood124. When the switch is in normal position, the upper end 141 of therear side rests against the lower end 142 of the top 126', as indicatedin dotted lines in Fig. 7. When the weight 140 has rocked the switchrearwardly, by engaging the extension 138 thereon, the top 143 of thefront side rests against the point 142, as shown in full lines in Fig.7. The function and operation of the modified form of switch 142 areprecisely the same as that of the previously described form 132.Preferably the weight 14() is provided with an upper and lower lug 139so that no matter how the weight is put into the magazine it will alwaysbe in position to operate the switch when the magazine is empty.

ile we have herein shown a specific form of machine embodying thevarious features of our invention, it is understood that we do notintend to be limited to such construction, hut that various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention as delined in the appended claims. Furthermore, it is apparentthat certain features of our invention may be used without certain otherfeatures.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination with a movablecoin carrier having a rigid extension adapted to sustain the coin inoperative position on the carrier, of a movable member arranged to beengaged by the sustained coin and actuated thereby when said coincarrier is operated, said coin-carrier and said member being adapted toretain the coin in connecting position during their complete forwardmovement, and independent means for discharging the coin from saidcarrier during the `return movement thereof.

2. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination with a movablecoin carrier having an inclined surface, a rigid extension projectingfrom said surface and adapted to engage the coin at or near the centerthereof to sustain the same in operative position on the carrier,whereby a deposited check with an opening at the center is not sustainedby said extension but falls on said inclined surface into aninoperative' position, of a movable member arranged to be engaged b vthe sustained coin and thereby' actuated when the coin carrier isoperated,

said coin-carrier and said member being ada ted to retain 'the coin inconnectin position during their complete forward movement, andindependent means for discharging the coin from said carrier during thereturn movement thereof.

3. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination with a movablecoin carrier having a rigid extension adapted to hold the coin inoperative position on the carrier, of a pivoted member having a portionprojecting into the path of movement of the coin on the carrier, wherebsaid member is rotated by the coin, sai coincarrier and said memberbeing adapted to retain the coin in connecting position during theircomplete forward movement, and independent means for discharging the'coin from said carrier during the return movement thereof.

4. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination with' a coincarrier and means for reciprocating the same, said coin carrier having arigid pin or extension adapted `to sustain the coin in operativeposition on the carrier, of a pivoted member having a portion projectinginto the path of movement of the sustained coin, whereby said member isrotated by the coin, said coin-carrier and said member being adapted toretain the coin in connecting position during their complete forwardmovement, and independent means for discharging the coin from saidcarrier during the return movement thereof.

5. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination with a movablecoin carrier having an inclined surface, a rigid pin ro- ]'ecting fromsaid surface and adapted to enga the coin at or near the center thereofto ho d the same in operative position on the carrier, whereby adeposited check with an opening at thei center is not sustained by saidpin butfalls on said inclined surface in an inoperative position, of apivoted member having a portion projecting into` the ath of movement ofi the coin on the carrier, whereby saidmember is rotated by the coin,

said coin-carrierand said member being adapted to 4retain the coin inconnecting position durin their complete forward movement, and inependent means for discharging the coin from said carrier during thereturn movement thereof.

6. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination .with a coincarrier and means for reciprocating the same, said coin carrier havingan inclined surface, a rigid pin projecting from said ed to enga e thecoin at or near the center thereof to .old the same in operativeposition on the carrier, whereby a deposited check with an opening atthe center is not sustained by said pin but falls on said inclinedsurface into an inoperative position,

of a movable member arranged surface and adapt` of a pivoted memberhaving a portion pro- -jecting into the path of movement of the coin onthe carrier, whereby said member is rotated by the coin, saidcoin-carrier and said member being ada ted to retain the coin inconnecting position durin their complete forward movement, and inependent means for discharging the coin from said carrier during thereturn movement thereof. 7 In a coin-operated vending machine, a pair ofmovable members normally disconnected from each other, one of 'saidmembers being adapted to support a coin, and a rigid in or extension onsaid last-mentioned member to hold the coin in position to establishoperative connection between said members, said members being the coinin connecting position during the complete forward movement thereof, andindependent means for ejecting the coin. from between said membersduring the return movement thereof.

8. In a coin-operated vending machin the combination with a coin carrieran means for reciprocatin the same, said coin carrier havin a rigi in orextension adapted to ho d the coin in operative position on the carrier,of a pivoted having a portion projecting into the path of movement ofthe coin on the carrier, whereby said member is rotated by the. coin,and 'a separate element for automatically dislodgingA the coin from saidcoin carrier during the return movement thereof.

9. In al coin-operated vending machine, the combination with a coinchute provided with a laterally displacedV rtion at its lower end, theside fromwhich said Vlower end has been displaced being provided with adischarge openin above said displaced adapted to retain member portion,of a mova le coin carrier below i said coin-chute for supporting a coinin said displaced portion, w ereby a second coin dropped into the coinchiite while a first coin is retained in said displaced ortion, strikesthe edge of said first coin o center and 'is thereby `automatically ejeted through said lateral opening.

10. -In a com-operated vending machine, the combination with a movablecoin-carrier having a rigid extension adapted to sustain the coin inoperative position on the carrier,

to be enaged by the sustained coin and actuated ighereby when saidcoin-carrier is operated, spring-pressed arm adapted and a pivoted tostrip the coinfrom said carrier during the return movement thereof.

11. In a coin-operated vendin machine, the combination with a horizontay shdable coin-carrier having a rigid in or extension adapted to sustainthe coin in operative position thereon, of a member pivotally beve saidcarrier and having tills e mounted a lower end in the path of movement oSustained coin, said coin-carrier andV said member being adapted toretain the coin in connecting position during their forward movementwithout ejecting the saine.

12. In a coin-operated ven machine, the combinationwith ahorizonta lyslidable adapted to sustain the coin in operative position thereon, of amember mounted wholly above said coin-carrier and in vertical alinementtherewith, said member having its lower end extending into the path ofmovement of the sustained coin.

.13. In a coin-operated vendin machine, the combination with ahorizontay slidable coin-carrier having a rigid adapted to sustain thecoin osition thereon, of a member mounted wholly above said coin-carrierand in vertical alinemen-t therewith said member ha its lower end ex inginto the ath of movement of the sustained coin, an independent means fordischargin the coin from said coin-carrier during the return movementthereon.

14. In a vcoinperated vending machine, the combination o a verticalswinging lever, a coin-carrier mounted to slide freely y beneath thelower end of said lever without engaging the same, and a rigid pin orextension on said carrier to sustain a coin in position thereon to e ethe lower end of said lever, whereby said lever and said coincarrierbecome operatively connected and retain the coin in connecting positionwithout ejectinlg the Same.

15. n a coin-operated vendin machine casing, a rectan Y having an outersupported in the sides .of said work, a shaft framework, a shaft, acoin-chute secured in said framework, a coin-carrier mounted in thelower portion of said framework and adapted t0 carry the deposited coinagainst the lower end of said lever, whereby said and said lever becomeoperatively connected through the medium of th eating `push-rod conneccarrier and mounted in said push-rod projectinghout of said manualoperation ereof, m slid. ably mounted on top of said framework andconnected with the upper end of said lever and guides for removablymounting Sai framework within said casing framework and the parts may bereadily removed into said casing as a unit.

In a coin-opierated vending machine, a readily remova le unit frameworksupportin the following parts: a sp presse vertical lever in the centerof said framework, a co` chute in front of said lever, the lower end ofsaid lever terminating in close proximity casing for vertical leverpivoted on said lmedium ivoted pivoted substantia y y to the lower endof said coin chute,l a coin carrier slidably mounted below said coin,chute to receive the deposited coin, a push rod for moving said coincarrier rearwardly to bring the coin a inst the lower end of said lever,a yieldab e member for engaging the coin on said coin-carrier during there turn movement thereof and thereby discharging the same therefrom, andmechanism slidably mounted on said framework and o ratively connectedwith the upper end o said lever.

17. In a coin-operated vendi machine, a coin chute, a verticaloperatingnever pivotally supported at a point between its ends, thelower end of said lever terminating at the lower end of said coin chute,a slidable coin carrier arranged to receive the deposited coin and carryit against the lower end of said lever for actuating the same, means foroperating said coin carrier, and an independent device adapted to engagethe coin on said coin-carrier du the return movement thereof andythereryujscharge the same therefrom.

18. In a coin-operated vendin machine having a casin a readily remova leframework mounte in said casin a vertical swinging lever pivoted in saiframework, the rear Wall of said framework having a portion bent towardsaid lever to form a stop for the saine, a spring for normally holdingsaid lever against said sto and mechanism for operating said lever roughthe medium of a coin.

19. In a coin-operated vend' having a casing, work mounted in saidcasing, Va vertical swinging lever pivoted in said framework, the rearwall of said framework havmg a portion bent toward said lever to form aSto for the same, a spring for normally ho din said lever against saidstop, mechanism or operating said le ver throu h vthe of a coin, asprmg-pres arm in said framework and having a ependin portion whichnormally bears against e wall of said framework tohold the arm insubstantially horizontal position, the free end of said arm beingadapted to strip the coin from said mechanism.

a coin-operated vending machine,

machine a readily remova leframeioo iilo

a coin chute, a vertical operating lever pivv at a point between itsends,

otall supported the lb at wer end of said lever terminating the lowerend of said coin chute, a slidable com carrier arranged to receive thedepositcd coin and carry it against the lower end of said lever foractuatmg the same, means for operating said coin carrier, aspringpressed arm pivoted in said framework and having a dependingportion which normally rs against the rear wall of said framework tohold the arm in substantially horizontal position, the free end of Saidsuitable element to be actuated, a mova being adapted to strip the coinfrom said coin carrier during the return movement of the latter.

21. In a coin-operated machine havingla e coin-carrier adapted tosupport the deposited coin in a tilted position and to carry the sameinto o erative relation to said element and a yiel able member mountedon said coin-carrier and against which the deposited coin falls, saidmember being constructed and arranged to hold a coin or disk of lessthan the prescribed weight in an inoperative position on'saidcoin-carrier and permitting said light-weight coin or disk to be tiltedo said coin-carrier during its forward movement.

22,. In a coin-operated vendin machine, a coin carrier provided with acoin-retaining groove and a depressible projection in sai groove toreceive the deposited coin, said projection being ada ted to hold a coinof ess than the prescri ed weight out of said groove, and means foractuating said coincarrier to convey the deposited coin into operativeposition.

23. In a coin-operated machine having a suitable element to be actuated,a coin-carrier having means to retain a coin in operative positionthereon, yieldable means mounted on said carrier for holding a coin ofless than prescribed weight out of engagement with said retaining means,and means for actuating said coin-carrier to convey the deposited coininto engagement with said element.

24. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination with a movablecoin carrier having means to sustain a coin in operative positionthereon, of a movable member arranged to be engaged b the sustained coinand actuated there y w en said coin carrier is operated, and means onsaid carrier for causing automatic discharge of a coin of less than theprescribed weight when the same engages said movable member.

25. In a coin-o erated vending machine, the combination with a movablecarrier havin means to sustain a coin in operative position thereon, ofa movable member arranged to be enga d bg' the sustained -coin andactuated there y w en said coin carrier is operated, and a ieldableproection on said carrier for hol ing a coin o less than the prescribedweight in position to be automatically discharged from the coin carrierby said member without operating the latter.

26. In a coin-operated vending machine, a pair of movable membersnormally disconnected from each other one of said members being adaptedto rigidly support a. coin to form an operative connection between saidand means on said coin-supportmembe ing mem for causing automa-ticdischarge of a coin of less than the prescribed weight when said membersare moved relatively to each other.

27. In a coin-operated vending machine, a

pair of movable members normally disconnected from each other, one ofsaid members being adapted to rigidly support a coin to form anoperative connection vbetween said members, and a yieldable projectionon said supppoi'ting member to liold a coin of less than the prescribedweight in position to be automatically ejected from between said memberswhen the same are moved relatively to each other.

28. In a coin-operated machine havin a suitable element to be actuated,a mova le coin-carrier provided with a pivoted arm having its free endarranged to be depressed by a coin of proper weight, means on saidcoin-carrier whereby a proper coin is operatively supported thereon, andmeans for actuating said coin-carrier to convey the supported coin intoengagement with said element.

29. In a coin-operated vending machine, a movable `coin carrier providedwith a coinretaining groove and a pivoted arm havin its free endarranged to ,project into sai groove, said free end being adapted tohold a coin of less than the prescribed weight out ofy said retaininggroove.

30. In a coin-operated vending machine, a pair of movable membersnormally disconnected from each other, one of said members having meansto support a coin in position `to establish operative connection betweensaid members, and a yieldable projection on said coin-supporting memberto hold a coin of less than the prese ibed weight in position to beautomatically ejected from between said members when the same are movedrelatively to each other.

31. In a coin-operated vending machine, a movable coin-carrier rovidedwith a rigid projection and a shoul ered recess arranged to sustain acoin of prescribed weight in operative position on said carrier, and ayieldable member mounted on said carrier and normally extendin into saidshouldered recess to prevent coins of less than prescribed weight fromoperatively engaging said shouldered recess.

32. In a coin-operated vending machine, a movable coin-carrierrovidedwith a rigid projection and a shoul ered recess arranged tosustain a coin of prescribed weight in operative position on saidcarrier, and a yieldablezmember ivoted on said carrier and Donnellyexten ing into said shouldered recess to prevent coins of less thanprescribed weight from operatively engaging said shouldered recess.

33. In a coin-operated vending machine, a movable coin-carrier providedat its fornaeova ward end with a transverse rib or shoulder, aprojection on said carrier above said shoulder, said projection and saidshoulder be` adapted to engage a coin of prescri weight and sustain thesame in o ative osltion on said carrier, and a movab e memr mounted onsaid carrier and adapted to hold a coin of less than the prescribed we't out of sai shoulder.

34. A vending machine having means to support a stack of articlesthereln, a movale coin receiver below said articles and provided with arecess to receive a proper coin and retain its ulpper portion inposition to dislodge a vendi le article, said receiver having a memberon one side of the coin above saldrecess to coact with the coin, said receiver also having a movable tongue extending across the upper art ofsaid recess in the path of coins into t e receiver, to preventlight-weight tokens from operatively entering said recess. v 35. Avending machine having means to support a stack of articles therem, amovable coin receiver below said articles and provided' with a recess toreceive a roper coin, said recess being of less depth t an the coin to eose the upxer portion of the latter to disl ge a ven ble article, saidreceiver having a member on one side of the coin above said recess tocoact with the coin, said receiver also having a ivotal weighted ton eat the upper part o the recess 1n the pat of coins into said recessadapted to be moved by a proper coin to permit its entrance into therecess with the upper part of the coin extending above the recess, saidtongue being adapted to prevent light weight tokens from operativelyentering said recess.

36. In a coin-operated vending machine, a

operative engagement with coin-carrier havin a 'd in or extensionadapted to hold the inpo erative position thereon, manually opera lemeans for actuating said coin-carrier, and a movable element supportedabove said coin-carrier and having a portion projecting into the path ofthe coin on said cari-1er, the coin on said carrier being retained inconnecting n the engagement with said element d forward movement of thecarrier and automatically dislodged from the carrier during the returnmovement thereof.

37. In a coin-operated vending machine having an outer casing, asubstantially rectangular framewor a shaft supported in the sides ofsaid framework, a vertically swinging lever pivoted on said shaft,coinreceiving mechanism slidably mounted in said framework and adaptedtobecome connected with the lower end of said lever through the mediumof the deposited coin, said mechanism and said lever being normallydisconnected, means mounted4 in said framework to guide the de 'ted coininto operative position on sai mechanism, .a reciprocating usb-rodconnected with said mec anism an work for manual operation of saidlechanism, a device connected with the up r end of said lever andarranged to slide on top of said framework, and guides for removablymounting said framework insaid casing, so that said framework and theparts carried thereby may be readily removed from or inserted into saidcasing as a unit.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names, this 12 day ofJuly, 1912.

ALBERT D. GROVER. v EARL E. BARBER.

Witnvesses forrllaolila:

ILLIAM FronnNcn E. Ifnet? projectngout of said framey

